The Dixie Chicks are already starting to see some career repercussions from their political stance.

[Update at 11:18 AM PST]

Don't mess with Texas.

Someone over at Free Republic is reporting that the biggest country station in Lubbock (Natalie Maines' home town) is going to have a Dixie-Chicks-Free Weekend, during which they won't play anything by the group.

[Update at 1:34 PM PST]

Apparently they're unhappy about it in San Antonio, too.

And KZLA, a country station in Los Angeles, is currently running a poll on the issue of whether or not they should continue to play them (no permalink). (They're still offering specials on their albums, though.)

It's spreading like a prairie wildfire.

[Yet another update at 2:20 PM PST]

A station in Houston is running a similar poll.

[Update at 5:30 PM PST]

Apparently Ms. Maines realizes that she really stepped in it. She's issued a half-hearted, Trent Lott-like apology. She's not really sorry she said it, of course--she only regrets that there are any consequences for her uttering her no-doubt heartfelt feelings (as opposed to actual thoughts).

We'll see if it's enough to end the boycotts. There's no doubt that their record sales will suffer as a result, though she may have mitigated some of the damage with this pro-forma statement.

[Saturday morning update]

Well, it's not all bad. Most C&W stations are continuing the boycott, but they've picked up one new venue for their music. According to this article from the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Pacifica affiliate (a so-called "progressive" radio network that makes NPR sound Republican) will start playing them "all the time." Guess this is the first step toward finding a new audience...

Blogger is down, so I'll pester you here.

I'd be surprised if anything less than a meltdown apology can save the day for the Dixie Chicks. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I suspect the great majority of their fans are pro George W. Bush, pro war, sentimental, and given to symbolic displays when provoked. As a mainstream, Nashville-style act, they just cannot get away with this kind of statement the way Steve Earle or Chrissie Hynde or Sheryl Crow can. Although I'll bet Sheryl won't get another NASCAR gig any time soon.

I'd been thinking about picking up a Dixie Chicks album.

Now? Probably never.

Ms Maines is right about one thing she does have the right to say her point of view. It sure could've been with the respect of an American to our president,. The president is making what has to be the hardest decisions that he has ever made. We should all respect that and stand behind him and the troops. God bless the people on both sides

Shame. How much do the Iraqi people spend on Ditzy Chick CDs? How about the French and Germans? Will Fatass be able to support her lavish lifestyle without the support of her former American fans? Such a waste of space these three.
May God forgive them because I never will.